“Mythic Stars: Tales of Constellations and Planets from the Indian and Western Sky”
I fondly recall the nights spent with my students under the blanket of stars, where the constellations and planets came to life through both science and storytelling. With a telescope in hand and curiosity in our hearts, we gazed at the heavens as I recounted the stories behind the celestial bodies from both Western and Indian mythology. Each star and planet became a character in an eternal cosmic play, offering timeless lessons and wisdom. Here’s how I narrated these celestial tales to my students, blending the myths of the West with the ancient stories from Indian tradition.
Orion – The Hunter (Kalpurusha)
Orion: The Hunter
Western Mythology:
In Greek mythology, Orion was a powerful and boastful hunter. His pride led him
to claim that no creature could ever escape his hunting prowess. This arrogance
angered the gods, and they sent a scorpion to kill him. Now, Orion hunts
forever in the sky, reminding us that even the strongest can be felled by
hubris.
Indian Mythology (Kalpurusha):
In India, Orion is known as Kalpurusha, representing the cosmic personification
of time. He symbolizes the all-powerful force of time, which governs every
living being. The three stars of Orion’s belt, in Indian tradition, are linked
to the sages Vyasa, Valmiki, and Kashyapa, reflecting wisdom and the passage of
knowledge through time. Like time itself, Orion in Indian mythology is eternal
and unrelenting.
Scientific Details:
Orion is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky,
especially during winter. It is located on the celestial equator, making it
visible across the globe. The constellation’s most prominent feature is Orion’s
Belt, composed of three bright stars: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. The region
is rich in star formation, including the famous Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery
where new stars are born.
Cassiopeia – The Vain Queen (Sharmishtha)
Cassiopeia in the shape of ‘W’
Western Mythology:
Cassiopeia, the vain queen of Greek myth, boasted that her beauty surpassed
that of the sea nymphs, the Nereids. Offended, the gods condemned her to spin
in the sky, sometimes upside down, as a punishment for her pride. Her
constellation shines as a warning that arrogance leads to downfall.
Indian Mythology (Sharmishtha):
In Indian mythology, Cassiopeia’s story resonates with that of Sharmishtha, the
proud daughter of the demon king Vrishaparva. Sharmishtha’s arrogance created
enmity with Princess Devayani, causing much strife. Like Cassiopeia, her pride
brought disaster. The stars of Cassiopeia remind us that humility is a far
greater virtue than beauty or power.
Scientific Details:
Cassiopeia is a prominent constellation visible year-round in the northern
hemisphere, easily identifiable by its W-shaped pattern formed by five bright
stars. It is home to several interesting astronomical objects, including the
supernova remnant Cassiopeia A and the open star cluster M52. The constellation
lies close to the Milky Way, offering rich star fields for observation.
Saturn – The Ringed Giant (Shani)
Saturn
Western Mythology:
In Roman mythology, Saturn is the god of time and harvest, often shown with a
sickle. Known for devouring his children to avoid being overthrown, Saturn
symbolizes the inevitable power of time. His planet, adorned with rings, serves
as a reminder of the boundaries and cycles that time imposes on all living
beings.
Indian Mythology (Shani):
In India, Saturn is revered as Shani Dev, the god of justice and karma. Shani
brings to each person the fruits of their deeds, whether good or bad. His gaze
is feared because he ensures that no one escapes the consequences of their
actions. The rings of Saturn reflect the cycles of karma that encircle us,
reminding us that we are all bound by our deeds.
Scientific Details:
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in our solar
system. Its most defining feature is its extensive system of rings, composed of
ice, rock, and dust. Saturn has at least 83 moons, with Titan being the
largest. The planet’s atmosphere is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium,
and it has a strong magnetic field. Saturn’s rings are divided into seven
groups, each named alphabetically based on the order in which they were
discovered.
Jupiter – King of the Gods (Brihaspati)
Jupiter
Western Mythology:
Jupiter, in Roman mythology, is the king of the gods, ruling over thunder,
justice, and protection. His planet, the largest in the solar system,
symbolizes his vast authority and leadership. Jupiter’s thunderbolts were
feared by mortals, and his presence in the heavens represented the balance of
power in the universe.
Indian Mythology (Krittikas):
In Indian mythology, the Pleiades are known as the Krittikas, the six celestial
sisters who cared for Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati. These nurturing
goddesses raised Kartikeya to defeat the demon Tarakasura, making the Krittikas
symbols of maternal care and protection. They shine brightly in the sky as a
testament to the power of nurturing and guidance.
Indian Mythology (Brihaspati):
In Indian tradition, Jupiter is known as Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. He
is a figure of immense wisdom and spiritual guidance, providing counsel to the
divine beings. The planet Jupiter is seen as a beacon of knowledge and
expansion, much like Brihaspati, who leads through righteousness and the
pursuit of truth.
Scientific Details:
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the fifth from the Sun.
It is known for its massive size, powerful magnetic field, and the iconic Great
Red Spot, a giant storm larger than Earth that has been raging for centuries.
Jupiter has at least 92 moons, including Ganymede, the largest moon in the
solar system. Its atmosphere is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, and
it rotates the fastest of all the planets, completing a day in just under 10
hours.
Mars – The Red Planet (Mangala)
Mars
Western Mythology:
Mars, the Roman god of war, embodied aggression, conflict, and conquest. His
planet, with its fiery red appearance, represents courage and the bloodshed of
battle. Mars is a figure of both destruction and bravery, forever tied to the
struggles humans face in conflict.
Indian Mythology (Mangala):
In Indian mythology, Mars is personified as Mangala, the warrior god born from
the fiery essence of Lord Shiva. Mangala’s red colour reflects his energy and
passion for conflict and resolution. He represents strength, discipline, and
the courage to face challenges head-on, mirroring the planet Mars, which
inspires resilience in the face of adversity.
Scientific Details:
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is often called the Red Planet due to its
iron-rich surface, which gives it a reddish appearance. Mars has the tallest
volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, and a canyon system, Valles
Marineris, that dwarfs Earth’s Grand Canyon. The planet has two small moons,
Phobos and Deimos. Mars has been the subject of extensive exploration, with
rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance studying its geology and searching for
signs of past life.
Venus – The Bright Star (Shukra)
Venus
Western Mythology:
Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, shines in the night sky as a
symbol of romance and allure. Her planet, often the first star seen at dusk,
has long been associated with attraction and desire, representing the seductive
power of beauty and love.
Indian Mythology (Shukra):
In India, Venus is known as Shukracharya, the wise guru of the demons (Asuras).
Unlike the Western goddess, Shukra is not a figure of love but of deep wisdom,
especially regarding life, death, and immortality. He possesses the knowledge
of the Mritasanjivani mantra, which can bring the dead back to life. Venus, in
this sense, is not merely a symbol of beauty but of profound knowledge and the
mysteries of the universe.
Scientific Details:
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and is similar in size to Earth, but
its atmosphere is thick with carbon dioxide, causing surface temperatures to
soar to nearly 475°C. Venus rotates very slowly and in the opposite direction
to most planets in the solar system. It is the brightest planet visible from
Earth and is often referred to as the “Morning Star” or “Evening Star” due to
its bright appearance just before sunrise or after sunset.
The Pleiades – The Seven Sisters (Krittikas)
Pleiades
Western Mythology:
In Greek mythology, the Pleiades are the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione.
Chased by Orion, they were turned into stars by Zeus to escape his pursuit.
These sisters now reside in the sky, forming the famous star cluster, forever
out of Orion’s reach. Their story is one of protection and sisterhood.
Scientific Details:
The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster located in the constellation Taurus. It contains hundreds of stars, but only six or seven are visible to the naked eye. The cluster is about 444 light-years from Earth and is one of the closest star clusters to our solar system. The Pleiades are also surrounded by a reflection nebula, caused by interstellar dust reflecting the light of the stars. This star cluster has been a significant subject of study due to its relatively young age, only about 100 million years old.
The Milky Way – The Celestial River (Akash Ganga)
The Milky Way Galaxy
Western Mythology:
The Milky Way in Greek mythology is the spilled breast milk of the goddess
Hera, which formed a path of stars across the sky. This mythological river
connects different realms of the gods and represents the cosmic bridge between
the divine and mortal worlds. The idea of a celestial pathway to the heaven’s
echoes through many ancient cultures.
Indian Mythology (Akash Ganga):
In Indian mythology, the Milky Way is known as Akash Ganga, the celestial
counterpart of the sacred river Ganges. According to legend, Ganga descended
from the heavens to purify the Earth, and her heavenly form stretches across
the night sky, guiding souls toward enlightenment and salvation. Akash Ganga is
a symbol of purity, devotion, and the eternal flow of life.
Scientific Details:
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system. It is a barred
spiral galaxy with a diameter of about 100,000 light-years. The Sun is located
in one of the galaxy’s spiral arms, approximately 27,000 light-years from the
galactic centre. The Milky Way is home to an estimated 100-400 billion stars,
along with planetary systems, nebulae, and other celestial objects. The galaxy
is part of a larger structure known as the Local Group, which includes over 50
other galaxies, including the Andromeda Galaxy.
Conclusion:
The night sky is a vast tapestry woven with stories from different cultures, offering us a glimpse into the shared human desire to understand the universe. Whether through the myth of the proud Orion, the nurturing Krittikas, or the cosmic flow of Akash Ganga, the stars above have guided, inspired, and humbled humanity for millennia.
As I recounted these tales to my students, I aimed to ignite their imagination and spark a deeper appreciation for the cosmos. The constellations and planets are not just distant points of light; they are living narratives that continue to shape our understanding of the world. Through the lens of both Western and Indian mythology, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of all things—of how science and storytelling together help us find meaning in the infinite universe.
When we look up at the stars, we are not just gazing at light from distant suns; we are connecting with the ancient wisdom of the skies. May we continue to seek and find both knowledge and wonder as we journey through life under the watchful eyes of the constellations.
